KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Sin Chew Daily) – The Malaysian Insight reported quoting a source that prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will announce this week to appoint foreign minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as deputy prime minister in a bid to stabilize the Perikatan Nasional government.

However, from what is understood, the appointment must first be approved by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

A source told Sin Chew Daily if Muhyiddin were to bypass Ahmad Zahid to make the announcement, it could trigger a majorn split within Umno.

A source said while Muhyiddin is leaning more towards Hishammuddin, he will leave it to Hishammuddin and Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to decide who should be the deputy prime minister, in a show of respect for Umno's choice.

The source said unless an agreement has been reached between Hishammuddin and Ismail Sabri and the candidate is approved by Ahmad Zahid, there will not be any appointment in near future.